Morning sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the Johnston household. The quiet hum of the city outside blended with the distant sound of passing cars—just another normal day in Chicago.
Or at least… it was supposed to be.
"Aria! You're going to be late!"
Her mother's voice echoed from downstairs.
Up in her room, Aria Johnston groaned softly and rolled over on her bed, pulling the blanket over her head.
"I'm up…" she muttered, though she clearly wasn't.
A second later, her alarm buzzed loudly beside her.
She groaned again, reaching out blindly before finally slamming it off.
Silence.
Then—
Reality hit.
"Oh—shoot!"
Aria shot up instantly, her messy braids falling around her face as she jumped out of bed. Her chocolate-toned skin glowed under the morning light, and her brown eyes still held traces of sleep as she rushed toward her wardrobe.
She grabbed her school uniform quickly, muttering under her breath.
"Why does school start so early…"
Downstairs, the kitchen was already alive.
Mrs. Johnston moved swiftly between the stove and the counter, packing food into containers while keeping an eye on everything at once. The smell of eggs and toasted bread filled the room.
Mr. Johnston sat at the table, flipping through a newspaper, his expression serious.
"The crime rate is getting worse again," he said, adjusting his glasses. "Another report last night."
Mrs. Johnston sighed. "Every day it's the same thing. Robberies, attacks… it's like the police can't keep up anymore."
Dylan, Aria's younger brother, sat at the table swinging his legs.
"Maybe a superhero will show up," he said with a grin. "Like in movies!"
Mr. Johnston chuckled lightly. "Superheroes? That's fantasy, son."
"But what if it's real?" Dylan insisted.
Mrs. Johnston smiled faintly. "Eat your food."
At that moment, Aria rushed downstairs, slightly out of breath.
"Morning!" she said quickly, grabbing a piece of toast.
"You're late," her mom said without looking up.
"I know, I know."
She took a quick bite, then paused as her dad spoke again.
"They're saying some of these recent incidents don't even look normal anymore."
Aria frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"
He folded the newspaper and looked at her.
"Some victims… the damage doesn't match anything typical. It's like something else is involved."
A brief silence followed.
Then Aria shrugged lightly. "Probably just rumors."
But deep down…
Something about it didn't sit right with her.
A few minutes later, Aria stepped out of the house, her bag slung over her shoulder as she headed toward school.
The streets were busy, people moving as usual, cars passing, life going on.
Normal.
Everything looked normal.
At school, the hallway buzzed with energy as students moved between classes, laughing, talking, living their lives.
Aria walked in, immediately spotting her two closest friends.
"Ella! Mira!"
Ella turned first, smiling brightly. "Finally! We thought you weren't coming."
Mira crossed her arms. "You're late. Again."
Aria grinned sheepishly. "Blame my alarm."
"You always do," Mira replied dryly.
They walked together toward class, chatting casually.
For a moment…
Everything felt completely normal.
Until it didn't.
Midway through class, Aria shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
A sharp pain hit her lower abdomen.
Her expression changed instantly.
"…Not now," she whispered.
The pain intensified.
Menstrual cramps.
And not mild ones.
She raised her hand quickly.
"Miss, can I go to the restroom?"
The teacher nodded. "Make it quick."
Aria stood carefully, trying to act normal as she walked out of the classroom.
The moment she stepped into the hallway, her pace quickened.
By the time she reached the restroom, the pain had already worsened.
She entered quickly, breathing heavily as she leaned against the sink.
"Why today…" she muttered.
She reached for tissue—
And then—
Something happened.
The moment her hand touched the sink—
A sudden surge shot through her body.
Her eyes widened.
A strange energy pulsed through her veins, sharp and overwhelming.
"What—?"
Her grip tightened—
CRACK.
The tissue holder snapped clean off the wall.
It hit the floor with a loud bang.
Aria froze.
Her breathing stopped.
"…What did I just do?"
She stared at her hand.
Shaking.
"No… no, that's not possible…"
Her heart started racing.
She stepped back slowly, her mind spinning.
"I didn't even—"
She stopped.
Her reflection caught her attention.
Her eyes.
For a split second—
They flickered.
Brown…
Then—
A faint, glowing blue.
Then back.
Aria stumbled back slightly, fear creeping into her chest.
"…Okay… that's not normal."
The pain in her body faded.
But something else had replaced it.
Something stronger.
Something new.
She looked down at her hands again.
"…What is happening to me?"
Outside, the school bell rang loudly, echoing through the halls.
Students moved, voices filled the air again.
Life continued.
But for Aria Johnston—
Nothing would ever be normal again.
Across the city…
A television screen flickered to life.
A man stood behind a podium, dressed sharply, his expression calm and confident.
"Today marks a new step forward for humanity," he said smoothly.
"Through advanced medical research, we are developing solutions that could eliminate disease, strengthen the human body, and secure a better future for the next generation."
His name appeared at the bottom of the screen:
Dr. Blanc
"Our latest vaccine initiative will soon be distributed nationwide," he continued. "A safer, healthier tomorrow begins today."
The audience applauded.
But behind the screen…
Behind the smile…
Something darker existed.
Far darker.
And unknowingly—
Aria was already part of it.